 “Momentum” is my leadership paradigm as we complete 2018 and begin 2019. A strength or force that keeps things moving and growing, momentum is an effective guide; it implies motion and development and can be measured.
How does this apply to the Board you may wonder? The Board has focused on continuous process improvement in order to enhance operations and services provided, and we are excited to have seen measurable results. The Board accomplished significant performance outcomes as identified in the 2015-2018 Board Strategic Plan. Important milestones include increased communication and outreach with stakeholders and customers, improvements to our technology infrastructure, increased operational efficiencies, and expanded online service capacity.
 Legislation & Rules Committee Conducts
"Deep Dive" of the Social Work Practice Act
The Board’s 2015-2018 Strategic Plan identified an in-depth review of the Board of Social Work Practice Act as a key priority initiative. The Board last conducted a comprehensive review of the Social Work Practice Act in 2004-2005. The Board’s Legislation and Rules (L&R) Committee convened in January of 2018 to begin this work. The L&R Committee is comprised of Board members, Board staff, and three representatives from the Board’s Advisory Committee, creating an opportunity for stakeholder input throughout the process.
Conclusion of 2015-2018 Board Strategic Plan
The Board of Social Work is committed to conducting regular strategic planning to identify outcome-based priorities and accomplish continuous process improvements. Strategic planning ensures measurable performance results and promotes efficient and accountable services. Planning for the most recent Strategic Plan began in fall of 2014. Final results were measured at the end of 2018, with 31 of 53 identified strategic plan priority activities completed, 79% of priority one activities completed, and several important, long-term activities still active and in-progress. Read the full report presented at the January 18, 2019, public Board meeting for details about the 2015-2018 Strategic Plan goals, results and performance measures, and next steps for a new Strategic Plan in 2019.
 The Compliance Toolkit is a regular feature of the Board Bulletin that will provide you with tools for handling common ethical dilemmas and issues related to the Standards of Practice found in the Minnesota Social Work Practice Act. Consider the following scenario:
I am an LICSW in private practice. I have a client who is planning to attend college in Florida next year but would like to continue therapy with me via video or phone. Am I able to offer the client this service? Are there any specific regulations related to electronic practice?
 Carol Payne, LSW
Carol is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), with more than 38 years of professional experience in the health care field as a nursing home social worker, consultant, and hospital case manager. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work and Psychology from St. Cloud State University and was issued an LSW license in 1989. Carol is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers and Minnesota Nursing Home Social Workers Association.
Carol was first appointed to the Board as a bachelor level social worker in March of 2009, and is currently serving her third four-year term ending on January 4, 2021. In her tenure with the Board, she has served as Secretary-Treasurer, Vice-Chair, Chair, and Past Chair. She has lent her expertise to numerous committees, including Compliance Committee, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Communication Education & Outreach Committee, and the Compliance Process Review Ad-Hoc Committee. Since attending her first meeting in March of 2009, Carol hasn’t missed a single scheduled Board meeting to date, bringing her attendance to an impressive 59 consecutive Board meetings as of January 2019!
Carol’s commitment and dedication to the Board’s mission are invaluable. We wish to recognize her remarkable contributions and service, and asked Carol to share some thoughts with us about her Board service.
What prompted you to apply to be a BOSW Board member?
In my career and life I have always had goals or things that I see as a challenge that I'd like to do. I saw the Board of Social Work as one of those challenges. I saw it as an opportunity to serve by sharing my knowledge and expertise as well as challenging myself to learn and grow through the process. Also, I believe that we must not only do our regular job, but give to the community, volunteer time and talents. My parents did this, my husband and I do, and I'm proud to say my two adult sons do. It's important to model and hopefully inspire others. It is so rewarding!
I first was appointed in March 2009. That was the first Board meeting I attended and am proud to say I haven't missed a single scheduled board meeting in ten years. I am the type of person that when I commit to something, I want to give my best and my full effort. I am a very organized person which helps balance work, family, and volunteering. And I know my limits!
What do you enjoy most about serving on the Board?
I enjoy working with the great staff and Board members! Everyone is so passionate about the Board's work and the mission of public protection. It is awesome to work together, sometimes on very challenging things. I am also grateful for the opportunity to meet on a national level with other jurisdictions about the professional regulation of social work. I can share the good work we do in Minnesota as well as bring back information that is helpful to our Board work.
What have you learned serving on the Board?
Wow – the simple answer is "so much." The harder answer – what specifically have I learned. I know that I definitely know the social work statutes better! It was a great experience to be part of developing a real working strategic plan that we used as our roadmap, and to have an extensive list of achievements at the end.
What are some challenging aspects of serving on the Board?
Serving on the Board does take time. In addition to the many weekends over the years I spent reading cases when I served on the Compliance Panel, it is the challenge of thinking through or working the process to ensure that in each case the Board's mission, the applicable laws and statutes, and an impartial resolution occur.
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